And the Trumpet shall be blown: that will be the Day whereof Warning (had been given). 50:20

FAQs

Reservation & Documents

Q. What is the first step to make my reservation?A. Please contact Atif Fattah at 832-472-0309 to obtain SM Hajj reservation form & Saudi visa application. Reservation form and visa application per person should be filled out. Email (
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) or bring them in person to the office, along with a copy of each passport. Deposit of $2,500.00 / person is required at the time of reservation.Note: Your reservation will not be confirmed until SM Hajj receives your deposit.

Q. What happens after I make a reservation and pay the deposit?A. Once you have submitted the reservation form and paid the deposit you will receive a confirmation and an invoice of your remaining balance.

Q. Do you have any specific guidelines for the documents?A. Guidelines for Hajj documents

Do Not Staple: Please do not staple any documents or photographs. You can use paper clips.

Legible: When filling out the forms, please print to ensure it’s legible.

Email: Please provide email address for each traveler as we post a lot of information via email starting from a month before the departure.

Do Not Fold: Please do not fold these documents. We have to scan all documents and folded papers get stuck in the scanner.

Meningitis Shot Record: Please ensure the document has the date of administration and the name of the vaccine.

Passport: Please ensure: - Passport is signed. - It’s not expiring for at least 6 months from the time of departure. - It has atleast 2 blank two-sided visa pages available.

Q. What happens after I receive the invoice and my confirmation?A. Please provide the required documents for the Hajj visa. Mail or hand deliver all the documents so we can process your visa and all other required procedures. You will also need to review your confirmation to ensure that your reservation is accurate. If you need to make changes to your reservation you must do it as soon as possible, as your reservation will not be changed after a certain period of time.

Q. What is the next step after I send my remaining balance and proper documents?A. Sirat al-Mustaqeem Hajj Group will start visa processing, while confirming your land package, as well as you flight itinerary. Once everything is complete you will receive a package with your day-by-day itinerary, passport with visa, airline tickets, final invoice, confirmation, and your identification card & luggage tags.

Q. When is the right time to send my documents?A. As soon as your reservation is confirmed you can submit your documents. Please note once you submit your passport you will get it back 1-2 weeks prior to our departure. Q. When am I supposed to receive my documents?A. Once all your documents and full payment is received you should expect your documents to be returned 1 to 2 weeks prior to the departure.

Q. After I receive my complete package with all finalized documents, what is next?A. You must review all documents and confirmations to make sure there is no mistake in the arrangement made for you. If there are any mistakes please make sure to contact Sirat al-Mustaqeem Hajj Group as soon as possible so we may be able to correct it. Please note that this does not mean you can make changes in your reservation.

Q. If I do not have any errors in my package what should I do next?A. By not informing us of any errors, we assume that your package is complete and accurate. Your next step is to prepare for your travel and make sure you are at the airport on the day of your flight at least 3-4 hours prior to your flight departure.

Accommodations & Transportation

Q. Who provides the transportation to the hotel?A. If you are traveling with the group SM Hajj will provide all the transportation insha’Allah.

Q. Does the Hajj package include transportation from Mina => Arafat => Muzdalifa => Mina and from Mina to Makkah (for Tawaf Ifaada)?A. Yes, if you are with the group. If you decide to go on your own then you will have to arrange for your own transportation. SM Hajj will not be able to reimburse you.

Q. How many people can stay in a room?A. Makkah&Madina: Quad occupancy meaning four people per room. However at an additional cost you may choose to have triple or double occupancy in the hotel rooms in Makkah and Madina.

Q. Can the kids have the same amount of luggage as adults?A. Yes, children two years or older can carry the same amount of luggage as adults.

Q. What is the significance of my ID card and luggage tags?A. Your should carry your ID card with you at all times starting from your departure from USA until your departure from Saudi Arabia. It is extremely important so that SM Hajj representatives can recognize you and can assist you with any needs that you may require. If you are lost Saudi guards or other local people will be able to help you as your ID card will have all your pertinent information. The luggage tags are very valuable so the luggage can be identified throughout the trip.

Q. How do you manage the luggage during Manasik period?A. Your main luggage will stay in Hilton Makkah Tower in your rooms and will be accessible to you at all times. For Mina, please take a duffel bag or a back pack with everything that you will need for Hajj days including your medicines.

Q. Who will have my passport?A. You will carry your passport until we reach Saudi Arabia. From there throughout the trip the passports will be in the possession of Saudi authorities (Muttawaf).

Q. Does SM Hajj hold full responsibility for the passports?A. Your passports will be in the possession of the Muttawaf who is responsible for American pilgrims.

Visa

Q. When is the visa going to open?A. Every year visa opens around 20th Shawwal and close around 25th Dhul Qadah.

Q. Can I get a visa without a package?A. No! SM Hajj cannot get you a visa without the purchase of the Hajj package.

Payment, Cancellation & Refund

Q. What is your refund policy?A. Once your visa is processed NO refunds will be available. A written notification must be sent to cancel your reservation. If cancellation request received after the airline ticket is processed, then that amount (cancellation of the airline ticket penalty) will be deducted and the remaining amount paid by the customer will be refunded insha'Allah. After Ramadan no cancellations will be accepted, exception can be made if an alternate Haji is available.

Q. What is your cancellation policy?A. A written notification must be sent to cancel your reservation. However if the visa is already issued then no refund will be provided.

Q. Are there any hidden fees in the packages?A. No, there are no hidden fees in the package, except all packages do not include Hajj fee, animal sacrifice and a processing fee.

Q. When is the deadline for the payment?A. To confirm your reservation a minimum deposit of $2500 per person is required at the time of registration. Full payment is due no later than the 1st of Ramadan.

Q. How much is the deposit per person?A. The minimum deposit is $2500 per person at the time of registration.

General Questions

Q. Will there be any training classes in Houston for the rituals to be performed during Hajj?A. Classes will be held two to three weeks prior to our departure insha’Allah. Once your reservation is complete we will send a book on Hajj, prayer cards, note cards insha’Allah.

Q. Can we go to another country after Hajj?A. Yes you may go to other destinations at an additional cost. Please specify other destinations in your reservation form and SM Hajj representative will contact you regarding the price and your return dates to US.

Q. Are the dates listed in the package final? If not, what is the possible variance?A. The dates are final, but there is room for flexibility if the passenger wishes to travel on a different day.

Q. Am I going to meet SM Hajj people at the airport before my departure?A. Sirat al-Mustaqeem Hajj Group representatives will be at the airport to provide you with any assistance that you might need and will be traveling with you in the same flight. Please remember to have your ID on and remember to have your luggage tags attached to your luggage prior to your departure to the airport so you may have a quick check-in process.

Q. Can single woman perform Hajj without a Mahram through SM Hajj?A. Saudi authorities allow single women over the age of 45 years to travel in a group without a mahram.